SIMPLE PLEASURES: Town and Country Farmer's Market

It's often the personal part of a photographer that wins over the person on the other side of the camera. Simple Pleasures is that personal side of me.

Part of the inspiration for a photographer is in everyday things. Immersing oneself in a situation and documenting the moment. Last week we went to the farmer's market, a kaleidescope of scent and color in fresh air. My bag quickly filled with tomatoes and cukes, celery and radishes like I'd never seen...French Breakfast Radishes. I was told to slice thin, spread butter and salt on them, mmmmmm. I've never been much of a radish fan, but these changed my mind (and it didn't take that soft sweet butter to persuade me). These radishes taste as good as they look. Crispy with almost no bite and very slightly sweet.

An adventure with my camera that brought a new delight for my table ;-)

5 Things On A Sunday - Interesting Things Around The 'Net

Well, it's really starting to feel like Fall...the winter lawn is in, there is a nip in the night air and my thoughts are turning to All Hallows Eve. Here are a few interesting things I've found for your ghouling pleasure:

Do you Facebook? I've become addicted to Reign of Vampires. Come, be part of my clan.

It's time to start thinking about your once a year alter ego. Are you still on the search for this year's perfectly wicked ensemble? Maybe a fantasy costume? I spend a lot of time looking for ideas for my homegrown costumes and every so often come up with a really wonderful website. This one has a great variety and I'm loving these finds at Sexy Costumes. Find an adorably sexy costume for your party here.

Are you into Extreme Pumpkins? Me, too, although I haven't done any since moving to Arizona since they seem to rot faster than I can carve them in our wierdly dry weather. Some really great ideas at this website: Extreme Pumpkins.

Are you in charge of the office Costume Party? Here are some tips for this year's bash.

Ellen Pranks on People

5 Things On A Sunday - Interesting Things Around The 'Net

Does it feel like Fall to you? I know it's that time of year when Starbucks kicks up it's menu with Pumplin Spice Lattes...makes me want to make muffins rich in chocolate and pumpkin, so this Sunday's post is a search for easy comfort food:

Easy Pumpkin Choclate Chip Muffins
My Favorite Butternut Squash Soup
Autumn Beef Stew
My Favorite Beer on a cool night - Guinness
...and what's crisp Fall weather (I know, next month) without a bowl of Chili?

Scorpion Sting 3 Years Later

Today marks three years since the day I became a true Arizonan with my one and only scorpion sting. We live in true scorpion country...a swatch of Phoenix/North Scottsdale known as "Scorpion Alley" where there is a much higher percentage of the poisonous Bark Scorpion than many other parts of the area. Do we see scorpions? Every once in a while, yes. Do they get in the house? Well, yeah, that's where we usually see them if we're going to. Is it a big deal? Only if you get stung and make it one.

To celebrate this dubious anniversary, I thought I'd share a poem I wrote while clearing out the toxins from this e-ticket ride (yes, the wedding photographer writes bad poetry, too).


Hmm...does a scorpion bite?

If a scorpion could take a bite with his maw
Would his jaw hurt as much as a clip from his claw?
Would his bite on my leg make my head ring
As much as the toxin from his all mighty sting?

If a scorpion could take a bite with his maw
Would I have spent the whole night on the couch, enthralled
Exquisite pain in my toes, kissed on my lips
Toxins spread to my fingertips.

For the scorpion’s bite is all in his tail
Dagger of fire made my tongue wail.
A heavy syringe of power and lust
One more tiny warrior crushed dead in the dust.

5 Things On A Sunday - Interesting Things Around The 'Net

What's better than a lazy Sunday...sleeping in a bit, a special breakfast...fresh coffee and the paper or surfing the 'net...

Here's my picks for 5 fun Sunday finds:

1. Want the skinny on your favorite prime-time shows? Spoilerfix.com knows before almost anyone else...just don't tell anyone.

2. Canyon Glider...relax and fly, but don't let a downdraft throw you into a canyon wall.

3. Love to sing when nobody's home? Online free Karaoke can get you bumping and grinding.

4. Sunday is a great day to think "Green"...this a great place to start, Planet Green.

5. ...and what would a lazy Sunday be without Pee Wee Herman?!?!?!?

5 Things On A Sunday - Interesting Things Around The 'Net

I admit it, I'm as bad as the next person about surfing the 'net - no, maybe I'm worse than some people. But, on the bright side, I like sharing...so here are some fun picks for your pleasure:

1. The very first Droopy Dog Cartoon



2. Celebrity Gawking and Gossip at it's finest: PEREZ HILTON

3. Stunning Photography via National Geographic's Photo of the day.

4. Bubble Shooter, anyone?

5. ...and another old time favorite:

Social Responsibility - A Call To Action

I just got home from an advanced screening of The Cove, a documentary of the dolphin slaughter that goes on in Taichi, Japan. There are times when we must all stand up against wrong, this is one of those times. Every once in a while it is our responsibility to speak for those who cannot...that time is now. I urge every single one of you reading this now to see the movie, tell your friends about it, blog, facebook and twitter to get the word out.

FIVE THINGS you can do now
1. Write to our leaders and help get the word out in Japan.
2. Learn more about dolphins in captivity.
3. Choose the safest fish to eat.
4. Help Save Japan’s Dolphins efforts on the frontlines.
5. Support the filmmakers with your donation.

About Bogey...My Dog

There are few things in life that make your heart stop, time stop, the earth stand still.

Last week, Bo's neck acted up again. A couple years ago he took a header on the pool deck and has had the occasional bout with his neck binding up. This time, it was so bad that meds weren't going to do it, it was time to make a trip into the animal hospital.

Mike is our vet. I think he loves our dogs as much as we do and is one of the few animal docs around that will make house calls. On this trip, Mike was spending to much time rubbing Bogey's belly and not enough time checking his neck.

Lymphoma...

The word stopped us cold. Bogey is 13 years and 2 months, the life expectancy of a golden retriever is 10.5 years and the survival rate of untreated lymphoma after diagnosis is 4-8 weeks. Mike wrapped his arms around his big head while we tried to wrap our minds around facts and figures, protocols and side effects.

We chose chemo.

Dog chemo is not like human drugs. The emphasis is on remission, not cure. With this 15 week round Bogey has the potential of as much as another year of chasing frisbees and summer swims. He has the opportunity to spend a bit more time believing he is still a 2 year old while the world ages around him.

This morning I woke to 92lbs of fur under the blankets nestled in my arms. Bogey blew old dog breath at me with a smile that almost said, "Do I really get to spend the day with Mike...and go for a ride in the car to get there?"

As I write this Bo is attached to a drip with Mike at his side, reading the sport page out loud to him (I hope) recapping the Suns latest win. J. is trying to keep busy at work, Our young dog Zuri is pacing the house, whimpering and looking lost and I am trying to make it through the day working to build the belief that Bogey will go into remission and I'll spend many more mornings waking up to stolen blankets and old dog breath.

Not too long ago I fell on a walk, blacked out and when I came to my big old hero was standing over me, a monster paw on my back crying for the world to hear. He stayed there calling for help, he refused to move or be moved until my husband was brought to my side and he knew I was truly safe. Tonight it's our turn to be his heroes, and I hope we can achieve his level of loyalty and service, that we can serve him as he has served and protected us all these years.